Preview | Cambridge United (h)

Jamie Stephens had an injection on his knee this week so won’t be part of the squad this weekend. John Akinde (knee) has made good progress but is also not likely to feature. Curtis Weston remains side-lined with his knee injury. It was confirmed this week that Richard Brindley has fractured his foot and will be out until the second half of the season as will Elliott Johnson (knee).

Andre Blackman will be serving the first for his three game suspension after being sent off last week at Swindon.

Last Time We Met:

Cambridge were 1-0 winners at The Hive back in February, midfielder Luke Berry with the only goal of the game in the 65th minute.

There was a debut for goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne, brought in on an emergency loan from Wolves after both senior ‘keepers were ruled out through injury.

Neither side hit the target in the first half, Akinde coming closest with a header just over the bar from a Vilhete cross.

Cambridge took the lead when Harrison Dunk picked out Luke Berry who volleyed home from 12-yards.

Opportunities in the dying minutes for Michael Nelson, Charlie Clough and Jamal Campbell-Ryce were all kept out by Will Norris as Cambridge hung on for the three points.

Manager:

A midfielder during his playing days, Shaun was appointed in November 2015 following the departure of Richard Money. Beginning his career at hometown club Notts County, the 39-year old made 93 appearances before leaving for spells with Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Shaun also had two stints with Crystal Palace, winning promotion to the Premier League in 2004. He repeated the trick with Queens Park Rangers and made a total of 61 appearances in the top flight, prior to hanging up his boots after a spell with Millwall.

With 649 games under his belt as a professional, Shaun opted to take the managerial reins at Notts County in November 2013, subsequently guiding the struggling Magpies to League One safety. Despite a fine start to the 2014/15 campaign which saw County cement a top four place, he left Meadow Lane in March 2015.

Shaun signed a contract that will retain his services at the Cambs Glass Stadium until the close of the 2017/18 season.

Dangerman:

Striker Uche Ikpeazu has score 2 goals in six games already this season and is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Signed on a short-term deal in August 2016, Uche brings a powerful physical presence to the U’s attack. Following a spell in the Academy at Reading and loan stint with Didcot Town, this 22-year old penned his first professional contract with Watford during the summer of 2013.

Unable to break into the first-team, he embarked on temporary spells at Crewe and Doncaster, before a productive 28-game loan with League One side Port Vale, which was complimented by six goals. He concluded the 2015/16 campaign with Blackpool, before being released by the Hornets. Uche claimed his first league strike for United during the victory at Newport last October and finished the season with eight goals to his name. He has penned a longer deal with the U’s, who have secured his services until the summer of 2018.

Connections:

Bees captain Michael Nelson spent a season at Cambridge before moving to The Hive in 2015. He made 38 appearances that season, scoring on three occasions. He was a key part of their FA Cup run which saw them earn a replay at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

Goalkeeper Craig Ross also spent time at the Abbey Stadium. He made 15 appearances in the 2012/13 season, keeping 4 clean sheets.

In the other camp, ‘keeper David Forde made 7 appearances for the Bees in 2003 whilst on loan from West Ham United

Last Time Out:

Uche Ikpeazu scored a 64th minute winner as Cambridge United beat Colchester United last weekend.

Cambridge found it hard to break down their visitors until Jabo Ibehre entered the field as a second half sub against his old club, and subsequently assisted the winning goal for strike partner Ikpeazu.

Report | Barnet FC 3-1 Cambridge United

9 September 2017

A Mauro Vilhete brace and another goal for Shaq Coulthirst secured victory in a tough match

The match got off to a bad start for the Bees with Deadline Day signing Dave Tarpey having to be stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his knee. Rossi Eames confirmed after the match he will go for a scan on Monday.

Twelve minutes in, good build up play resulted in Ricardo Santos seeing a shot deflected just wide of the post. Vilhete’s corner shortly after found Charlie Clough rising highest but his header was saved comfortably by Forde.

Barnet continued to put pressure on the Cambridge goal, chances for Nelson and Akpa Akpro both came close but didn’t break the deadlock.

That was broken in the 39th minute. Great play down the left saw Campbell-Ryce lay off Coulthirst who dinked a ball into the box. Mauro Vilhete rose highest to head the ball home and give Barnet the lead heading into the break.

Barnet doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark. It followed a consistent spell of pressure from Cambridge, the Bees managed to break away. Jack Taylor slipped Shaq Coulthirst through who, fresh off of a hat-trick the previous weekend, managed to bury it low into the far corner.

This forced Cambridge head coach Shaun Derry into a triple change, including Medy Elito who’s free kick in the 70th minute found skipper Leon Legge who headed past Craig Ross to pull a goal back.

Another one of those substitutes, Ade Azeez, soon picked up an injury to his knee and Cambridge were forced to play with 10 men for the remainder.

The match then became very open, Cambridge would attack before Barnet went up the other end and did likewise.

With 10 minutes to go, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro fired over the bar before Shaq Coulthirst raced down on goal only to put his shot wide under pressure for the Cambridge defenders.

The fourth official added 5 minutes stoppage time and after successive corners for Cambridge, Barnet managed to clear the ball through Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro.

He headed for the corner before turning back and dribbling his way into the box, passing to Mauro Vilhete who had time and space to fire high into the roof of the net and secure the three points for the Bees.